Safeguarding
ESFA publishes information on enhanced DBS checks for chairs of academy trusts.
The ESFA (Education and Skills and Funding Agency) has published information on the enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate that chairs of academy trusts must have. Chairs are also required to have their application countersigned by the secretary of state for education.
The information is also a reminder that all new chairs require a new enhanced DBS certificate even if they were previously chair elsewhere; only those chairs that hold an enhanced DBS certificate from the same school prior to converting to an academy trust are exempt.
Clerks of trust boards should ensure that their Chairs have obtained an enhanced DBS certificate and that their application is countersigned by the secretary of state. Clerks may also want to use this as an opportunity to ensure that other trustees have an up-to-date enhanced DBS certificate although these do not need to be countersigned by the secretary of state.
Enhanced DBS disclosure checks for chairs of academy trusts: Information and forms for academy trust chairs of trustees applying for an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate.
Updated Safeguarding Guidance from September
The Department for Education (DfE) has published an updated version of the statutory guidance, Keeping children safe in education which will come into effect on 3 September 2018. Until that date, the current guidance (published in September 2016) is still in force.
‘Keeping children safe in education’ is the key document setting out schools’ safeguarding responsibilities and governing boards should ensure that it is reflected in the school or trust policies and understood by all staff.
Download the Keeping Children Safe in Education (2018) guidance here. Please remember that this document is FOR INFORMATION ONLY. REVISED GUIDANCE WILL COMMENCE 3 SEPTEMBER 2018. UNTIL THAT POINT SCHOOLS / SETTINGS MUST CONTINUE TO HAVE REGARD TO THE 2016 KCSIE
DfE advice on sexual violence and sexual harrassment
The DfE has also published separate advice on sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges.
The advice covers schools’ legal responsibilities, a whole school approach to prevention, and responding to a report of sexual violence or harassment.
Free weekly safeguarding briefing
A reminder that Governors / Clerks can sign up to receive a free weekly safeguarding briefing from Andrew Hall (Safeguarding in Schools).
“Helping schools and colleges do all they can to keep children safe in education. The safeguarding briefing provides practical information and resources for anyone with responsibility for safeguarding.”
You can sign up to the weekly safeguarding briefing here - www.safeguardinginschools.co.uk/
Free safeguarding and governance email course
In addition to this you can also enrol on a free safeguarding and governance email course and strengthen your understanding of Safeguarding and Governance.
The course is aimed at governors in maintained schools and academies, but has value for MATs, independent schools and free schools too, although some legislative requirements around governance might be different.
The course consists of ten units that will help all governors, but particularly the safeguarding governor, understand their role and how it helps keep all children safe. https://www.safeguardinginschools.co.uk/understandingsafeguardingandgovernance2/
Free monthly e-safety newsletter
You can also subscribe to receive a free monthly e-safety newsletter on this website: http://www.esafety-adviser.com